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(No Model.)

A. J. STEWART.

WHIFPLETREE HOOK.

No. 366,896. Patented July 19, 1887.

UNITED STATES ATENT Fries.

A. JUDSON STEYVART, OF CHILLICOTHE, MISSOURI.

WHlFFLETREE-HOOK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 366,896, dated July 19, 1887.

Application filed February 12, 1887. Serial No. 227,396. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, A. J UDSON STEWART, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chillieothe, in the county of Livingston, State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in \Vhiftletree-Hooks, of which the following is aspecifieation, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to certain improvements in whii'tletreehooks; and it has for its objects to provide a device that will securely hold the trace to its position, at the same time allowing the trace to be detached with comparative ease, and obviating any danger of the trace becoming detached while the animal is attached to the traces. These objects I attain by the means illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 represents a perspective view of my invention; Fig. 2, a bottom view thereof.

The letter A indicates the end of a whiffletree, having thereon the ferrule B, on the end of which is formed the cockeye O. This cockeye is provided with an open central depression, a, formed by the hooked end Z1 and hooked end I). Said hooks extend to each side of the central stud or shank, d. Formed integral with the ferrule is a pivot-post, D, in which is pivoted one end of a bent wire spring, E. Said spring, after leaving the pivot-post, extends in the direction as to the center of the whiftletree and slightly backward, forming a loop, 6, then extending in the direction of the eockeye and upward, forming the spring end g, which rests into the central depression and against the wall of the eye tightly, caused by the looped end a bearing hard against the under side of the whiftletree. \Vhen the trace is in position, as seen in the drawings, it is evident that the trace cannot become detached by slipping, as is frequently the case; but to detach the trace, simply pull the traee backward by the rear end and draw this end over the eockeye, as shown in dotted linesin Fig. 2. This forces the spring end out of the depression and out of engage ment with the cockeye, allowing the removal of the trace.

Having thus fully described my invention,

what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The combination, with a whiIllctree-thimble, of the recessed cockeye having a guide projection, b, and the curved spring E, secured to a post, D, forming part of the thimble, the guide serving to direct the spring to its seat and hold it therein, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

A. JUDSON STEWART. \Vi tn esses G. A. PERRIN, J OIIN M. Vonrs. 

